People in North, Northeast warned of heavy rains

BANGKOK, August 29 (TNA) -- Heavy rains are expected in 21 provinces of northern and northeastern Thailand for five days, starting Sunday, causing worries to Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha as he has ordered concerned officials to map out assistance measures to people, said a spokesman of the Prime Minister’s Office. Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the prime minister had ordered officials at the Interior Ministry’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation to prepare assisting people in those 21 provinces who might be affected from the seasonal rain and to also inform people of the expected torrent. People in those two regions are advised to follow instructions given by provincial authorities, the spokesman said. The state-run Meteorological Department has forecast that low pressure would pass through the upper North and Northeast while tropical wind from the southwest covering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand would become fiercer, causing the North and Northeast regions to encounter heavy rainfalls during this period, he said. He said urgent measures for officials to implement in 21 provinces are - issue a warning to people living low-lying areas, especially those near mountains and river banks, to know in advance on torrents, inspecting water drainage systems, provide assistance to affected people urgently, and for the provincial authorities to inform the department on the results of the assistances. (TNA)